While many tourists have their favorite summer destinations, there are a few that are legendary and should be on everyone’s bucket list. These classic summer vacation ideas will inspire you, challenge your thinking, and leave you with tales to tell for years to come.
Regardless of how many countries you’ve been to or how many passport stamps you’ve amassed, there’s always a new place to explore. Consider these summer holiday ideas, from road excursions to train rides to safaris.
Italy is the most romantic destination in the world. You may see Rome, Venice, Milan, the Mediterranean, Tuscany, and Pisa, among other places, all within a few days.
Avoid mid-searing summer’s heat by booking a trip in early or late summer, when it’s less likely that your third scoop of gelato will melt before you can get to it.
Sweet tea and lemonade are readily accessible to quench your thirst in the South during the sweltering summer months.
The port city of Charleston, South Carolina, is a wonderful place to begin your journey, with quaint cobblestone streets, a promenade overlooking the ocean, and a plethora of excellent restaurants.
Afterwards, get behind the wheel and drive to Savannah. A two-hour drive south, the coastal Georgia city has a similar architecture and live oaks covered in moss, but there’s a little more action and ghost sightings if you prefer to keep busy on vacation.
It’s time to discover Colombia.
As more and more people realize the importance of visiting Colombia, cities like Medelln and Cartagena are rising to the top of the must-see list.
When it’s hot outside in Medellin, you’ll find gin drinks on outdoor patios, trekking in the adjacent mountains, beautiful blooms from the rain forest, and a wonderful leg workout (the town is built on hills).
If you visit Cartagena’s Old Town, with its colorful colonial buildings and cobblestone streets, you’ll step back in time to the 16th century. The surrounding white-sand beaches are also rarely overcrowded.
Summer is a particularly good season to visit Paris if you haven’t done it already. Alternatively, if you’re sick of strolling along the Seine at sunset for picnics, take a trip to Monaco.
International spy vibes pour out of this tiny, sovereign city-state on France’s Mediterranean shores. A visit to the posh casinos, the La Condamine market, or a stroll along the boardwalk in Monaco will make you feel like an extra in a Bond movie.
You’ll find a rich history and a wide range of unique experiences in Morocco, a northern African country with a rich cultural heritage.
It’s hard to beat a summer trip to Morocco, with its winding lanes lined with stalls selling local handicrafts, its desert sunsets, and its night sky filled with thousands of stars.
If you can handle the heat, this is a great time to visit because the tourist season has ended. You’ll find less people and a more relaxing atmosphere, although you’ll still have to bargain for tiles and avoid being run over by motorcycles.
In Montego Bay, just a short hop from the East Coast, you’ll be able to disconnect for a moment.
And by hot, we mean really hot: However, this is also the time of year when the weather is at its hottest and most beautiful.
Instead of reading a book by the shore, visit Doctor’s Cave Beach or Walter Fletcher, two nearby shorelines. The protected waves of Montego Bay Marine Park are also a must-dive if you’re into snorkeling or scuba-certified.
Even while Machu Picchu is a popular tourist destination during the summer months, it’s also one of the most gorgeous places to visit in the world.
Before embarking on the Inca Trail or the Inca Rail, it’s best to spend a few days in Cusco getting used to the high altitude before embarking on either route.
Small Peruvian village is postcard-perfect; the hilltop is illuminated at night, the local market is lively and there are numerous alpaca boutiques where you can spend your hard-earned cash.
Regarding ascending Machu Picchu’s neighboring mountain Huayna Picchu, we recommend going for it even if you’re not sure you want to do it.
